Pocket pistol



July 13, 1965 F. F. STEVENS, JR

POCKET PISTOL Filed June 7, 1963 INVENTOR. FREDf//c/fTfI/fA/la HTTORNEY United States Patent O 3,193,960 Y PCKET PISTL Frederick F. Stevens, Jr., Lanes Pond Road, Northford, Conn. Filed .lune 7, 1963, Ser. No. 286,254 10 Claims. (Cl. 42--8) This invention relates to what can be termed a pocket pistol, that is to say, a pistol which is small enough to be arranged in .a pocket and which is, for .the most part, enveloped lin the hand in the use thereof. More particularly, the invention deals with a pistol of the character defined, wherein the hammer unit of the pistol is housed within lthe pistol structure and ,supports a striker, together with means controlling Ioperation of the striker in movement -of the same into position to independently re the two cartridges supported in the dual barrels of the barrel block of the pistol.

Still more particularly, the invention deals with a pistol structure employing `a breech latch pivotally supported on the barrel block and operatively engaging a part of the main frame of the pistol in retaining the parts in operative position, said latch including means actuating the shell extractor of the pistol.

The novel features of the invention will be best understood from the following description, when taken together with the accompanying drawing, in which certain embodiments of the invent-ion are disclosed and, in which, the separate parts are designated by suitable reference characters in each of the Views and, in which:

FIG. l is a .side and broken sectional View of a pistol made according to my invention.

FIG. 2 is a dia-grammatic side and sectional View of portions of the pistol, illustrating parts in a different position from that shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a View, similar to FIGS. 1 and 2, again showing the parts in different position.

FIG. 4 is a section generally on the line 4-4 of FIG. 1.

FIG. 5 is a section -on the broken line 5--5 of FIG, 1.

FIG. 6 is section on the broken line 6-6 of FIG. 1.

FIG. 7 is a partial section on the line 7 7 of FIG. l.

FIG. 8 is a diagrammatic View sh-owi-ng the main frame and the breech latch in extended positions with respect to the barrel block or, in other Words, indicating the open position of the pistol.

FIG. 9 is an enlarged perspective detail of the ratchet detached.

FIG. 10 is a detailperspective view of the frame of the pist-ol detached.

iFIG. 11 is a broken perspective View showing `one side portion of the breech latch and part of the extractor; and

FIG. l2 is la view, generally similar to FIG. 3, diagrammatically illustrating means providing center tir-ing of cartridges.

In order to simplify the description of the pistol, the primary parts lof the pistol will first be identified by reference numerals in the following listing:

`1li-Main frame 11Barrel block i12-Grip frame 13-B-reech latch y1li- Hammer unit 11S-Trigger unit 16-ra-tchet 17-Striker ll-Strilser pivot pin 19$triker spring =Ztl-Striker plunger 21g-Hammer pawl ZZ-Hammer pawl spring 23a- Hammer pawl pin 2li-Hammer pivot screw 25-Cover plate screw ZS-Cover plate `27--Hammer strut or seat ZS-Hammer spring 29-Spring seat and guide Sti- Trigger sear or actuator 31-Trigger piv-ot pin 15E-Trigger spring 33-Barrel pivot pin S14-Latch pivot pin 3S-Latch roller 3d- Latch plunger or follower 37-Latch plunger .spring 38Spring pawl or pin S33-Grip frame lretaining screw 4tl-Extractor 413afety lever t2-Safety lever pivot pin t3-Safety lever spring Main Frame The main frame 10 is generally L-shaped in form and can be made of `steel or high strength .all-oys. The frame has a .horizon-tal portion 44 which protrudes to the left, `as seen in FIG. l, and a vertical portion 45, at the top of which is a locking lug 46, the back or rear surface of the lug being tapered, as seen at 47. The taper 47 allows the vbreech latch 13 to snap over the lug and engage lit fully from top to bottom.

Below the locking Ilug 46 is a threaded hole 48, directly beneath which `is a small slot 49, which opens into a radial slot 5t). 'Ihe slot 4? is to receive the firing pin end lof the striker .17.

The bot-tom lof the frame 10 has a longitudinal slot 51 forming on the portion 44 side plates 52, apertured to receive the pins 31 and 33. The forward end of 44 is forked .to receive la pivot lug 11 on the barrel blo-ck 11 .and it will appear that the pin 33 is mounted in said lug.

The frame 10 -generally in alinement with the vertical portion 45 has depending side plates 10', note FlG. 10, apertured to receive the screw 24, as clearly seen in FIG. 4 of the drawing.

Considering FIG. 8 of the drawing, it will appear that the side plates 52, lor their terminal ends, have surfaces 52 which engage lthe barrel block 11 in checking opening movement of the pistol.

Barrel block The barrel block 11 is formed from a single piece of metal, having two barrels or bores 53, 54 therein. The rear ends of these barrels are chambered to receive cartridges. The barrel block, on its upper'front end, has a sight 55. The barrel block has, on its top rear end, recessed sides, so as to mount and guide the straddling breech lock 13 thereon. A transverse hole is formed to receive the pivot pin 34, as seen in FIG. 8.

A hole or bore 56 extends longitudinally of the upper portion of the block 11. This hole will retain the latch spring 37, follower 36 and roller 35. The barrel has a transverse elongated slot 57 to guide and retain the cam roller 35.

The sides and rear of the block 11 are also recessed to receive the extractor 40, clearly seen in FIGS. 5 and 8. It will lalso be apparent, from a consideration of FIGS. 1 and 8, that the forward sides of the barrel included milledout portions 58 to remove weight of the block 11 and to more definitely contour the barrel portions of the pistol. It will also be apparent from a consideration of the-she figures that the pivot lug 11 is disposed at the forward lower corner of the Vbloclt 11.

Gripper frame The gripper frame 12 is of a form to fit the hand and to provide a grip for the pistol. This frame also provides a mount for the assemblage, comprising the trigger unit 15, hammer unit 14 and the barrel block 11. The side wall 59 of the frame has a hole approximately centrally thereof, through which the hammer pivot screw 24 passe-s, as clearly seen in FIG. 4 of the drawing. The side wall 59 of the frame 12 has, at its front end, a forwardly protruding portion, as seen in FIGS. 1 and 5, which partially encloses the main frame 1@ and serves in conjunction with a similar member 6d on the cover plate 26 to laterally retain the trigger pivot 31, as clearly seen in FIG. of the drawing. The lower forward portion of the frame 12 has a projecting guard 61 for the trigger 15, as seen in FIGS. 1 and 2 of the drawing.

The portion 61 has a slot, in which i-s mounted the finger safety 41. The spring 43 is mounted in a recess 62 in the frame 12, as seen in FIG. l, the spring having an end bearing upon the safety 41.

The rounded back portion of the frame 63 of the frame 12 has a slot 64, in which is mounted the spring pawl 38, as clearly seen' in FIG. 1. At the upper portion of the frame 12 is an aperture 65 to receive the screw 39 which engages the threaded bore 4S in securing the frame 12 in operative position. This is clearly illustrated in FIG. 1.

It will be noted from a consideration of FIGS. l and 2 that the pin 42 fits in 61 and passes through an aperture in 41 in providing the pivotal mounting of 41.

Hammer un'z't The hammer unit has a lower forked portion 66, in which the pawl 21 and spring 22 are mounted, as clearly seen in FIG. 1 and apparent from a consideration or" FIGS. 2 and 3. The portion 66 is apertured to receive the pin 23. The portion 66, below the fork, is apertured to receive the screw 24, as clearly shown in FIG. 4 of the drawing. This lower portion has a notch 67 to receive an upwardly projecting finger 27 on the seat 27.

The upper portion of the hammer 14 is channelled to receive the striker 17, as clearly seen in FIGS. 1 and 3 of the drawing. The pivot pin 18 for the striker is mounted in a hole in said channelled portion, as best shown in FIG. 3 of the drawing.

Passing through the channelled portion of 14 is a large diameter aperture to receive the ratchet 16. The ratchet is keyed in 14 by a finger 68 on the striker 17 engaging a cam portion 69 on the ratchet 16, as will be apparent from a consideration of FIGS. 2, 3, 6 and 9 of the dra ing. The teeth of the ratchet 16 operatively engage the spring pin or pawl 33, as will be apparent from a consideration of FIGS. 1 and 2, in intermittent rotation of the ratchet in each cycle of operation of the pistol, as later described. The cam portion 69 may be said to be oblong and rectangular in cross-sectional form, or what could be termed a parallelogram in cross-sectional form.

The hammer 14 has an aperture in which the spring 13 and plunger 2@ are mounted, as clearly seen in FIG. 3, for actuating the striker to maintain it, or the finger 68 thereof, at all times in engagement with 69.

Considering FIGS. 1 and 4 of the drawing, it will appear that the strut or seat 27 has a depending pin 7) pass ing through the spring 28 and operating in a sleeve portion 71 on the guide 29, the spring 28 urging the seat 27 at all time-s in engagement with the hammer 14, it being understood that the spring 28, the strut or seat 27 and the guide 29 comprise a means for biasing the hammer toward a normal position as shown in FIG. 1 and for actuating the hammer in moving the striker 17 into its operative or firing position, as later described.

The ratchet 16 has bearing collars 16', 16, note FIG. 9, in conjunction with FIG. 6, at opposed sides of the cam 69 which operate in the large diameter aperture of the hammer 14. At this time, it is pointed out that the finger 68 on the striker 17 is positioned between the collars 16', 16 and operates to retain the ratchet against displacement from the hammer.

Breech latch The breech latch 13 locks the pistol in operative position. The latch is generally U-shaped in form and has side plates operating in the upper recessed portion of the block 11. The side plates are joined in a crosshead 72 shaped to fit the taper 47 on the locking lug 46, as seen in FIG. l. The side plates and crosshead 72 accordingly comprise a U-shaped portion of the breech latch.

The side plates have apertures for the pivot pin 34, note FIG. 5, integral with the side plates and forming part of the breech latch are two depending arms 73, 73 (note FIGS. l, 4, 5, 8 and ll) which operate in recessed arms of the extractor 4i?. Inner surfaces of the side plates of the latch 13 have cams 74, 74', clearly shown in FIGS. 8 and 1l, which operate on the roller 35 to hold the latch 13 in operative position, as shown in FIG. l, as well as in the raised position, when the fired shells are ejected by the extractor 40, as indicated, in part, in FIG. 8 of the drawing.

It will be apparent from a consideration of FIGS. l, 7 and 8 that the spring 37 constantly urges the follower 36 in engagement with the pin 35 in maintaining the latch 13 in its operative position in FIG. 1 and in its raised position, as shown in FIG. 8.

Trigger unit The trigger unit 15 comprises a curved fingerpiece 75 having an inner enlarged and partially channeled body 7d, note FIGS. l, 2 and 3. The channelled portion of 76 fits in the slot S1 of the main body 10 and is apertured to receive the pivot pin 31. The spring 32 operates in the channelled portion and the slot 51 and normally urges the trigger 15 into its normal position, as shown in FIG. 1 of the drawing.

The body 76 has an aperture 76 to receive the trigger sear or actuator 3@ which engages the pawl 21 in actuation or the hammer unit 14, note FIGS. 1, 2 and 3 of the drawing.

Considering FIGS. 1 and 2 of the drawing, it will appear that the upper end of the finger has an offset 75 which engages the lower edges of the side plates 52 in checking movement of the trigger unit 15 into its normal position. The lower end of the finger 75 has a notch 75" which operatively engages the end 41 of safety lever 41 in retaining the lever in operative position, as clearly illustrated in FIG. l ofthe drawing.

Extractor The extractor 4t) is U-shaped in form and includes two arms which are respectively supported for slidable movement relative to the barrel block rearwardly of the milled portions 5S, 5S by recesses formed one in each side of the barrel block, these recesses being clearly shown in FIG. 5 of the drawing. The extractor has a crosshead 77, in which is formed a recess 7S, note FIG. 8, to clear the striker 17 for engagement with the rims of shells 79 mounted in the barrels of the pistols, as will be apparent from a Consideration of FIG. 8 of the drawing. The crosshead 77 is also fashioned to engage the rims or" the shells to eject the same in swinging the latch 13 into raised position, again, as will be apparent from a consideration of FIG. 8.

In the operation of the arms 73 which operate in the recessed sides of the extractor 40, the arms engage shouldered ends 4d', 47, as clearly noted in FIGS. 8 and 11, and apparent from a consideration of FIG. l. This engagement takes place in movement of the extractor 40 into operative and inoperative positions.

In FIG. l2 of the drawing, I have diagrammatically shown a slight modification, wherein two striker pins EIB, Se are supported in the frame $1 of the pistol, or a part equivalent to the raised portion 45 in the other figthe cartridge 82 diagrammatically shown in alinement with the pin 80. The pins 80, 80 will be suitably keyed and retained against displacement by key pins 83. At 84 is shown a wide faced striker, pivoted, as seen at 85, in a hammer unit 86, generally similar to the unit 14, the striker having a finger end 87 operatively engaging a cam portion 88, Vagain generally similar to the cam portion 69. The pin 89 would be similar to the pin 20 to normally support the striker 84 at all times in engagement with the cam 88. With this construction, the striker is moved into positions to alternately actuate the pin 80 and the pin 80', as will be apparent. In this connection, it will be understood that, from the showing of FIG. 1, for example, the striker engages the rim of the cartridges in what are known as rim tiring cartridges, well-known in the art.

Assembly of pistol The assembly of the piston will be readily understood from the structure described and the following brief comments. Considering the barrel block, it will be apparent that 37 and 36 will be assembled in the bore 56, the roller 35 placed in position, the extractor 40 mounted on the barrel, after which, the breech lock 13 is attached and retained in position by the pin 34, which can have a press-lit in either 11 or 13. The barrel unit may now be assembled upon the main frame by attachment of the pivot 33.

The trigger unit, with 30 mounted therein, can then be pivotally supported on the side plates 52 by the pin 31,

with the spring 32 in position thereon.

The next step would be to assemble the parts of the hammer unit, which consists in placing the ratchet 16 in position, then inserting the spring 19 and plunger 20 in the hammer and then attaching the striker 17 and applying the pin 18. In like manner, the hammer pawl 21 is assembled with the spring 22 in position on the pin 23, after which, the hammer unit is ready for assemblage on the main frame and, in this operation and with 41, 43 and 38 assembled on the gripper frame 12, the screw 24 is passed through the side wall of 12 with the hammer unit supported in position within 10 to complete the coupling of the hammer unit with the main frame; whereupon, the seat 27, together with its associated parts 28 and 29 in assembled relationship, are positioned in the socket portion of 12 for receiving 29 and with 27 positioned beneath the hammer unit, as shown in FIG. 1, after which, the cover plate 26, shown in section in FIG. 4, is placed over the open side of the gripper frame 12 and the screw 25 is applied. The plate 26 will have suitable means, not shown, for positioning itself on the gripper frame and, when completely assembled, it will be understood that S9 on the gripper frame and 69 on the cover plate will overlie the pin 31 in retaining this pin in position, as clearly indicated in FIG. 5 of the drawing. From this it will also be noted that the screws 24 and 25 serve as a fastener which pivotally connects the hammer unit to the main frame and which also comprises a primary part of the means for holding the main frame, the gripper frame and cover plate in their assembled relationship.

Loading of pistol To load the pistol, it will be apparent that the parts swung into the position shown in FIG. 8 to fully expose the bores of 11, so that two caltridges can be placed in position, as indicated in FIG. 8 of the drawing, with the rims engaging the advanced extractor and with the breech latch in the raised position shown. Now, as the parts are swung into closed position, the cartridges and extractor will strike the surface 45 of 45, moving the parts from the position shown in FIG. 8 tothe position shown in FIG. 1 and, during the latter stages of this operation and as when the roller 35 passes onto the surfaces 74 of the latch 13, the spring 37 will impart a sudden movement to the latch 13, snapping the same into its closed operative position upon the surface 47 of the lug 46.

With the parts in the operative position of FIG. l, it will be apparent that the striker 17, or its tiring end, is spaced from the cartridges, as well as the extractor 40. lt will also be apparent that the upper surface of the forked portion 66 of the hammer is spaced from the portion 44 of the frame, it being understood that the strut or seat 27 engages the hammer unit in support of the same in the position 4shown in FIG. 1 with the seat 27 actually spaced from the extending sides 1G of the main frame.

F ifi/zg of pistol in the bore 54, as the trigger is drawn backwardly upon the release of the safety lever 41 engaged by one of the fingers of the hand, the sear or actuator 30 will engage the hammer pawl 21 and swing the hammer unit 14 on its pivot and, in this operation, the ratchet 16, or one of its teeth, will engage the pawl or pin 38, rotating the ratchet 16 about one-quarter of a turn to move the finger 68 from engagement with a narrow surface of 69, as in FIG. l, upon a wider surface of 69, as indicated diagrammatically in FIG. 2 of the drawing. This brings the striker 17 in position to strike and actuate the cartridge supported in the bore 53 or, in other words, the cartridge partially shown in dotted lines at 79 in FIG. 3.

During the above cycle of operation, the spring 28 is compressed as the hammer unit swings on the finger 27' of 27 'in the manner clearly illustrated in FIG. 2 of the drawing. Upon completing operation of the trigger 15, the hammer unit will drop, through the action of spring 28, from the position shown in FIG. 2 to the position shown in FIG. 3, the only difference being that the striker 17 will be in a raised position instead of the lowered position shown in FIG. 1.

During the time of hammer fall, Si) will pass by the hammer pawl 21 and will assume the position, as diagrammatically seen, in part, in FIG. 3. Then, upon release of the trigger, the spring 32 will operate to return the trigger to its normal position, shown in FIG. 1, actuating the pawl 21 against the action of its spring 22, thus allowing 30 to slip back under pawl 21, as shown in FIG. 1.

Now, in the next successive operation of the pistol in tiring the second cartridge, the above operation will be repeated. 68 of the striker will then be moved into engagement with the narrow surface of 69 and bring the striker in position to fire the lower cartridge 79", as illustrated in dotted lines in FIG. 3 of the drawing or, in other words, the cartridge -supported in the bore S4. A

Now, in the operation of removing the tired cartridges or the remaining shells, the breech latch 13 is raised by hand to a position where the crosshead 72 of the latch clears the lug 46, it being noted, in this connection, that suliicient clearance is provided between the arm 73 and the shoulder 40" to provide this movement before acting upon the extractor 40. As this operation continues, the extractor is advanced and in reaching the late stages of this advancement, the roller 35, as it suddenly moves upon the surface 74', will impart a sudden acceleration to the extractor which will result in it becoming anv ejector, throwing lthe empty shells free of the barrel block 11. The parts are now in position for insertion of a new pair of cartridges, as illustrated in FIG. 8 of the drawing.

The pistol includes safety features which prevent operation of the striker, in the event that the pistol should be dropped or receive a blow of any type or kind Vwhich might apply rearward acceleration to the mass. It will be noted that the safety features consist in maintaining the striker 17 normally in 4spaced relation to the cartridges and in positive support of the hammer unit in the main frame and with the pawl 21 in close proximity to 30, so that forward swinging movement of the unit 14 is checked by the pawl 21. The

snoepen clearance, as shown in FIG. 1, is exaggerated for illustrative purposes.

It will further be apparent that any manual movement of the breech latch 13, while the cartridges are in position, cannot possibly result in the firing of the cartridges, as the extractor cannot be moved rearwardly until the main frame has been swung on its pivot.

Returning for a moment to the operation of firing one of the cartridges, it will be understood that, at the end of the trigger Operation, the hammer 14 is moved into the position shown in FlG. 3, where it is clearly illustrated that the forward movement of the hammer is checked by engagement of the hammer with the main frame and by simultaneous engagement of the striker i7 with one of the cartridges. Immediately upon completion of this operation, it will be apparent that the spring 23 acts upon the strut 27 and the engagement of the short forward lobe 27" with the hammer will result in moving the hammer into the position shown in FIG. 1, in which position the hammer is supported by engagement with 27 and the other lobe or nger 27'. in the claims which follow, the FIG. 1 position of the hammer is referred to as its normal position, the FIG. 2 position as its cocked position, and the FiG. 3 position as its tiring position. Also the terms horizontal, vertical, upper, lower and the like are taken to apply with the pistol orientated as in FIG. l.

Having fully described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

i. In a pistol of the character defined, the combination comprising a barrel block having two superimposed bores for the support of two cartridges therein, a hammer unit pivotally movable relative to said barrel block about a rst axis and toward and away from a striking position relative to such cartridges, a striker pivotally supported on said hammer unit for movement about a second axis parallel to and spaced from said first axis and between two firing positions at which such two cartridges are respectively and independently tired as said hammer unit is moved to its striking position, a ratchet supported in said hammer unit for rotation about a third axis parallel to and spaced from both said first and second axes and including a set of ratchet teeth and a cam engageable by said striker, and a fixed pawl engageable with one tooth of said ratchet to index said ratchet to a new index position relative to said hammer unit as said hammer unit is moved away from said striking position, said cam being so shaped that as said ratchet is moved to successive index positions by said pawl said cam alternately moves said striker between its two firing positions.

2. The combination as defined in claim 1, wherein said striker includes a tail engageable with said cam, and means for biasing said striker relative to said hammer so as to urge said tail toward engagement with said cam, said cam having a plurality of generally fiat faces and said striker tail having a generally fiat face engageable with said cam faces to resist movement of said ratchet relative to said hammer when said ratchet is out of engagement with said pawl.

3. In a pistol of the character defined, the combination comprising a barrel block having two superimposed bores for the support of two cartridges therein, a frame pivotally connected with said barrel block for movement of said barrel block between opened and closed positions relative to said frame about a first axis located forwardly of the rear end of said barrel block .and passing perpendicular to the plane of said bores, said frame including a vertical portion located directly behind the rear end of said barrel block when the latter is in its closed position and defining a locking lug at its upper end, a generally U-shaped extractor having a crosshead located between said two bores and two arms supported on said barrel block for slidable movement longitudinally of said barrel block, a generally U-shaped latch pivotally connected with said barrel block for movement about an axis parallel to said first axis, said latch being arranged to surround in a first position thereof the rear portion of said locking lug to hold said barrel block in its closed position relative to said frame and being swingable about its pivot axis to a second position at which said locking lug is released to permit movement of said barrel block to its opened position, and coengaging means on the arms of said extractor and on said latch for moving said extractor rearwardly to cause extraction of cartridges from said bores as said latch is moved from its first to its second position.

d. In a pistol of t-he character defined, the combination comprising a barrel block having a bore for the support of a cartridge therein, a generally L-shaped main frame having a generally horizontal arm and a generally vertical arm which vertical arm extends upwardly from said horizontal arm, said main frame including two transversely spaced side plates adjacent the apex of said horizontal and vertical arms and also inoluding a downwardly opening longitudinal slot in said horizontal arm, means pivotally connecting the free end of said horizontal arm to a lower portion of said barrel block for movement of said barrel block between open and closed positions relative to said main frame about a transverse horizontal axis, said barrel block in said closed position having its rear end positioned adjacent said vertical arm so that the latter closes the rear end .of said bore and in said open position having its rear end displaced from said vertical arm so as to open said rear end of said bore for the insertion and removal of a cartridge, a hammer for firing a cartridge located in said bore and having a portion thereof located between and pivotally connected to said two side plates of said main frame for movement of said hammer between a firing position and a cocked position relative to said main frame, a trigger for actuating said hammer and having a portion thereof located in said longitudinal slot of said horizontal arm and pivotally .connected to said horizontal arm for movement of said trigger between a iirst position and a second position relative to said main frame, a gripper frame separate from and fixcdly connected with said main frame which gripper frame extends rearwardly and downwardly relative to said main frame and defines at least part of a grip for said pistol, said gripper frame .having a side wall overlying one side of said main frame and other wall'l portions which in combination with said side wall define a cavity for housing said hammer, a cover plate overlying the other side of said main frame and enclosing said cavity, a fastener extending between said gripper frame and said cover plate and through said spaced side plates of said main frame and through said hammer to pivotally connect said hammer to said main frame as aforesaid and to aid in holding said main frame, gripper frame and cover plate in assembled relationship, and a U-shaped breech latch havin-g -a crosshead and two side plates which side plates straddlle and are pivotally connected with an upper portion of said barrel block for movement of said latch about a transverse axis between lowered and raised positions relative to said barrel block, said breech latch being so constructed and arranged that when said barrel block is in its closed position and when it is itself is in said lowered position said crosshead is located behind .and in engagement with the upper end portion of said vertical arm to hold said barrel block in its closed position and that said crosshead is moved out of holding engagement with said vertical arm as said breech latch is pivo'ted toward its raised position.

5. A pistol of the character defined comprising a main frame, a barrel block pivotally supported on the rnain frame, a hammer unit pivotally supported on the main frame, a gripper frame separate from and fixed to said main frame, a trigger unit pivotally supported on said main frame, said trigger unit and hammer unit having interengageable means controlling movement of said hammer unit relative to said main frame, a striker pivotally supported on said hammer unit, means in said hammer unit in operative engagement with said striker for moving said striker into different positions in independently tiring a pair of cartridges supported in said barrel block, an extractor slidably mounted lon said barrel blo-ck and including a crosshead operatively engaging cartridges supported in said barrel block tor ejecting the same from said barrel block, and a breech latch pivotally supported on the barrel block for movement into and out of latching relationship with said main frame and having means operatively engaging said extractor for moving said extractor relative to said barrel block in response to movement of said latch relative to said barrel block.

6. A pistol of the character dened comprising a main frame, a barrel block pivotally supported on the main frame, a hammer unit pivotally supported on the main frame, a gripper frame separate from and fixed to said main frame, a trigger unit pivotally supported on said main frame, said trigger unit and hammer unit having interengageable means controlling movement of said hammer unit relative to said main frame, a striker pivotally supported on said hammer unit, means in said hammer unit in operative engagement with said striker for moving said striker into different positions in independently tiring a pair of cartridges supported in said barrel block, said atter means including a ratchet supported in said hammer unit and means on said gripper frame for operations of said ratchet in movement of said hammer unit into cocked position, said ratchet including a cam portion operatively engaging said striker for moving said striker between said diiterent positions, tensional-ly actuated means included in said hammer unit and engaging said striker for maintaining said striker in constant engagement with said cam, an extractor movably mounted on said barrel block and adapted to operatively engage cartridges supported in said barrel block, and a breech latch pivotally supported on the barrel block for movement into and out of latching relationship with said main frame and operatively engaging said extractor.

7. A pistol of the character defined comprising a main frame, a barrel block pivotally supported on the main frame, a hammer unit pivotally supported on the main frame, a gripper frame separate from and ixed to said main frame, a trigger unit pivotally supported on said main frame, said trigger unit and hammer unit having interengageable means .controlling movement of said hammer unit relative to said main frame, a striker pivotally supported on said hammer unit, means in said hammer unit in operative engagement with said striker for moving said striker into diierent positions in independently tiring a pair of cartridges supported in said barrel block, an extractor movably mounted on said barrel block and adapted to operatively engage cartridges supported in said barrel block, and Va breech latch pivotally supported on the barrel block for movement into and out of latching relationship with said main frame and operatively engaging said extractor, said extractor including two arms extending longitudinally of said barrel block on opposite sides thereof and slidably movable relative thereto, `and said breech latch comprising a U-shaped portion which is engageable with said main frame to hold said 'barrel block in latched relationship with said main frame and .also comprising two side arms disposed respectively on opposite sides of said barrel block and engageable respectively with arms of said extractor for operating said extractor in response to movement of said breech latch.

8. A pistol as defined in claim 7, further characterized by said latch frame including angularly idisposed cam surfaces, and a spring-pressed member supported in said barrel bl-ock and engageable with said cam surfaces to l@ aid in moving said latch into closed operative position and into raised shelil ejector position.

9. A pistol of the character defined comprising a generally L-shaped main frame having a generally horizontal arm anda generally vertical arm extending upwardly from said horizontal arm, a barrel block having a bore passing through the length thereof and pivotally supported on said horizontal .arm of said main frame for movement between open and closed positions relative thereto and at which closed position said horizontal arm extends alon,rl a lower portion of and said vertical arm extends along and closes the breech end of said barrel block, .a hammer unit pivotally supported on the main frame adjacent the apex of said arms, a gripper frame separate from and fixed to said main frame, said gripper trame including portions extending rearwardly and downwardly from said main frame and defining a part of a grip for said pistol and a cavity which receives said hammer unit and said ver-tical arm having an upper end portion which extends upwardly beyond said gripper frame, a trigger unit pivotally supported on said horizontal arm of said main frame, said trigger unit and hammer unit having interengageable means controlling movement of said hammer unit relative to said main frame, a striker pivotally supported on said hammer unit, an extractor movably mounted on said barrel block and adapted to operatively engage a cartridge supported in said bore of said barrel block, and a breech latch pivotally supported `on the barrel block for movement into and out of latching relationship with said main frame and operatively engaging said extractor.

iti. A pistol of the character delined comprising a pivotally coupled main frame and barrel block, a gripper frame separate from and ixed to said main frame and at least partially forming a housing for said main frame, said barrel block having two bores for the support of two cartridges therein, a hammer unit completely housed within said gripper frame and pivotally connected to said main frame, sa-id hammer unit having a movable striker' means for moving said striker into positions for successively firing cartridges supported in both barrels of .said barrel block, a latch pivotally connected with said barrel block and engageable with said main frame -to retain the pistol in closed operative position, a yieldably supported means on said hammer unit, biasing means in said gripper housing for biasing said hammer unit toward a normal position relative to said main frame, a trigger unit pivotally connected with said main frame and partially housed by said gripper frame, said trigger unit having means operatively engaging said yieldably supported means on said hammer unit for moving said hammer unit into a cocked position aga-inst the action of said biasing means, an extractor slidably mounted on Said barrel block, said extractor including a crosshead operatively engaging cartridges supported in said barrel block for ejecting the same from said barrel block, and said latch having means for .actuating said extractor in movement of said latch into open position.

References Cited bythe Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 920,6 82 5/09 Stephan 42-70 1,05 9,405 4/ 13 Sprague 42--8 1,3 48,03 5 7/20 Mossberg 42-8 2,354,025 7 44 Johnson 42-1 2,3 64,232 12/ 44 Milils 42-44 BENJAMN A. BORCHELT, Primary Examiner.

FREDERCK C. MATTERN, IR., SAMUEL PEIN- BERG, Examiners. 

1. IN A PISTON OF THE CHARACTER DEFINED, THE COMBINATION COMPRISING A BARREL BLOCK HAVING TWO SUPERIMPOSED BORES FOR THE SUPPORT OF TWO CARTRIDGES THEREIN, A HAMMER UNIT PIVOTALLY MOVABLE RELATIVE TO SAID BARREL BLOCK ABOUT A FIRST AXIS AND TOWARD AND AWAY FROM A STRIKING POSITION RELATIVE TO SUCH CARTRIDGES, A STRIKER PIVOTALLY SUPPORTED ON SAID HAMMER UNIT FOR MOVEMENT ABOUT A SECOND AXIS PARALLEL TO AND SPACED FROM SAID FIRST AXIS AND BETWEEN TWO FIRING POSITIONS AT WHICH SUCH TWO CARTRIDGES ARE RESPECTIVELY AND INDEPENDENTLY FIRED AS SAID HAMMER UNIT IS MOVED TO ITS STRIKING POSITION, A RATCHET SUPPORTED IN SAID HAMMER UNIT FOR ROTATION ABOUT A THIRD AXIS PARALLEL TO AND SPACED FROM BOTH SAID FIRST AND SECOND AXES AND INCLUDING A SET OF RATCHET TEETH AND A CAM ENGAGEABLE BY SAID STRIKER, AND A FIXED PAWL ENGAGEABLE WITH ONE TOOTH OF SAID RATCHET TO INDEX SAID RATCHET TO A NEW INDEX POSITION RELATIVE TO SAID HAMMER UNIT AS SAID HAMMER UNIT IS MOVED AWAY FROM SAID STRIKING POSITION, SAID CAM BEING SO SHAPED THAT AS SAID RATCHET IS MOVED TO SUCCESSIVE INDEX POSITIONS BY SAID PAWL SAID CAM ALTERNATELY MOVES SAID STRIKER BETWEEN ITS TWO FIRING POSITIONS. 